If you have thinning hair, odds are you've seen tons of products on the market that promise fuller-looking hair. And while many options such as red light therapy, supplements, and hair growth oils have their perks, it's no secret that they require a substantial amount of time to actually see results.
While I'm all for playing the long game in the hair department, I love a quick fix in the meantime. And if you can appreciate the same, odds are you'll find that scalp concealers can come in handy for seamlessly hiding thinning areas. "Scalp concealers are perfect for you if you find your hair with any thinning or balding that you want to cover up temporarily," says Katelyn Ellsworth, hairstylist and founder of The Roslyn. "These are great for quick solutions that can cover up any visible hair loss fast and easy for instant results."
Not sure which ones are worth your buck? No worries! Who What Wear chatted with two pro hairstylists to get their top recommendations. Read on for all the details.
Best Scalp Concealers, at a Glance
- Best Powder: Color Wow Root Coverup Powder
- Best Spray: dpHUE Color Touch-Up Spray
- Best Stick: Bumble and Bumble Color Stick Root Coverup
- Best for Blondes: R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray
- Best Drugstore Buy: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
Best Scalp Concealers of 2025
Best Powder: Color Wow Root Coverup Powder
If you prefer powder formulas, you'll love this one from Color Wow. "This is a great product for any thinning hair that you are looking to fill in and leave you with a thicker fuller look," says Ellsworth. "It's a great option if you are looking for a powder application that you have lots of control over application as you can be precise." Plus, it blends with ease, and is color safe.
Pros: A little goes a long way, water resistant
Cons: Pigment isn't strong enough for some
Type: Powder
Shade range: 8
Size: .07 oz
Customer review: "This stuff really works! This allows me to go thee to four weeks longer between colorings. I’ve repurchased four times and can’t live without this stuff. Highly recommend!
Best Spray: dpHUE Color Touch-Up Spray
Some sprays like this one have a precision nozzle to make application easy to control like the option from dpHUE. "The spray covers the area quickly and easily with no streaks but the applicator is precise so it's not overbearing or messy," says Ellsworth. "It's perfect if you are looking for a larger coverage area." Plus, it doesn't transfer, it's sweat-proof, and it holds well throughout the day.
Pros: Easy to apply with precision, long-lasting
Cons: May leave hair feeling stiff
Type: Spray
Shade range: 6
Size: 1.8 oz
Customer review: "I had a bleaching accident a few years ago that left me with thin spots. I use this to hide my scalp and with having lighter colored hair, I use the light brown it's perfect and natural. I love it, and it makes me feel confident."
Best Stick: Bumble and Bumble Color Stick Root Coverup
If you feel better at the thought of using something more hands on to apply your cover up, try this stick from Bumble and bumble. "This is super bendable and easy to apply to your roots," says Ellsworth. "It works much like a makeup stick you would apply to your face, so the application process will be familiar." She adds that it's perfect for on-the-go travel needs, too.
Pros: Allows for precision, easy to blend, travel-friendly
Cons: Doesn't come in many shades
Type: Stick
Shade range: 2
Size: .12 oz
Customer review: "Love this for covering my grays between coloring. This was my second purchase I use a brush that is made for smudging eyeliner with this to make it look more natural."
Best for Blondes: R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray
Everyone wants a natural-looking finish, which is why you're sure to love this pick from R+Co."The spray covers a good surface space in one spray, and the texture itself of the product is not sticky, which is nice," says Ellsworth. "It blends seamlessly in your hair and will instantly make it appear fuller."
Pros: Has a natural-looking finish
Cons: May transfer for some
Type: Spray
Shade range: 7
Size: 1.5 oz
Customer review: "This root touch up is easy to apply, smells fantastic and covers grays and roots with ease! One application lasts until next wash."
Best Drugstore Buy: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
Personally, I had to include this one because I have not one but several family members that swear by this product. Whether you want to conceal grays or thinning areas, this lightweight formula goes on with ease for a finish that's barely noticeable. I've seen the performance and lasting power of this product over the course of several months, and it truly doesn't budge until your next wash.
Pros: Long-lasting, natural finish, no residue
Cons: May be too pigmented for some
Type: Spray
Shade range: 11
Size: 2 oz
Customer review: "This stuff is AMAZING. The L’Oréal Root Cover-Up is like a magic wand for grey hair— one quick spray and poof, the greys are gone! I’ve tried a few other brands, and nothing covers as fully or as naturally as this one."
Best for Brunettes: Everpro Gray Away Root Touchup Quick Stick
Another option for stick lovers is this one from Everpro. Available in five shades, it's best for those with thinning grey hair looking for a coverup between salon appointments. Not to mention the price is one of the more budget-friendly options on this list. It's mess-free and great for travel as well.
Pros: Easy to apply, long-lasting, affordable
Cons: Stick may crack if not handled carefully, not many shades
Type: Stick
Shade range: 5
Size: 0.1 oz
Customer review: "I use it because I have thinning hair, and this is really great for my medium hair color. Doesn't seem to wear off fast, and I wash my hair every two to three days. Very pleased!"
Best Volumizer: Caboki 10x Hair Powder
One major part of the application process is how easy or difficult it might be to blend the product out for a natural finish. Luckily, this powder from Caboki is pigmented yet blendable to give you more control of the final look. It's a great buy for covering up bald spots or thinning edges.
Pros: Easy to apply, natural finish, bendable
Cons: May fade slightly over time
Type: Powder
Shade range: 14
Size: 1.6 oz
Customer review: "This is a game changer in hiding bald patches! The fibers look like real hair—very natural look and feel. Highly recommend this!"
Best Long-lasting: Everpro Gray Away Instant Root Cover Up Spray
No one likes the feeling of a product holding their hair down. With this spray version of Everpro, you can focus more on creating a fuller appearance without the crunchy or greasy finish. Throw on this budget-friendly option between salon appointment, and you're good to go.
Pros: Lightweight with good coverage
Cons: Not as precise as other sprays on the list
Type: Spray
Shade range: 5
Size: 2.5 oz
Customer review: "I love this! It doesn't drip on your face with sweat, and it allows you to get an extra week or two out of your color before going in to do your roots. By reducing my professional color from every four weeks to six weeks, I save the time and money."
Best Multi-Purpose: Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
Some folks prefer a product that comes with small application tools for better control. If that sounds like you, consider trying this powder from Madison Reed. While the price point may seem high, users love it because it also doubles as an eyebrow filler. It's also small enough to take with you during travel and is highly water-resistant.
Pros: Easy to apply and multitasking
Cons: Not available in many shades, pricey for the amount of product
Type: Powder
Shade range: 5
Size: 0.13 oz
Customer review: "Very good product, and good for brows too. It stays on and looks very natural. It's much easier then sprays that tend to be messy."
What to Look for in a Scalp Concealer
Before making the investment, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. For starters, it's important that you look for the right shade. "Shade matching ensures it'll blend seamlessly with your existing hair color," says Ellsworth. She also suggests checking on the application process to determine how it may feel on your hair and the kind of coverage you'll end up with. Finally, looking for a product that's transfer-proof and has lasting coverage will guarantee that it does the job you want it to do, no matter the occasion. "You don't want the product to wear right when you need it," says Ellsworth.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best scalp concealers for this roundup, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including type, shade range, and size. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list as well.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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